passage overview: reading for next week intro for next

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INTRO FOR NEXT WEEK FROM BAD TO WORSE IS BEST The offense of Christ Pastor Brent • March 31, 2019 Acts 25:13 – 26:32

I. Offended by Jesus (26:9-11) II. Meeting Jesus (12-15) A. Jesus knew Paul’s name. B. Jesus knew Paul’s struggles. C. Paul needed to know Jesus. Who are you, Lord? III. Sent by Jesus (16-23) A. Salvation brings purpose to life. (16) We are saved to serve and witness. B. The mission: 0pen their eyes. (18) 1. Turn from darkness to light. 2. Turn from the power of Satan to God. 3. After turning, we receive … a. forgiveness of sins

PASSAGE OVERVIEW: For many of us, there are seasons of life in which tragedy seems to follow upon tragedy. Sometimes we say, “Three strikes and you’re out!” In this passage, Paul faced one tragic event after another. Luke relates at least four crises that came in rapid succession. Yet Paul was not out. This passage records Paul’s harrowing maritime journey from Caesarea to Rome. Each stage of the journey presented new life-threatening situations. But Jesus had told Paul that he would preach the gospel in Rome. He knew Jesus would keep His promise, though the odds of a safe arrival were persistently against him. Each life-threatening crisis was fraught with difficulty and pain, but with the presence of the Lord as well. Time after time, Paul’s faith was tested. And with each test, he was able to challenge others to have faith in God as well. By the time they reached Malta, the centurion charged with delivering Paul to Rome was wishing to save Paul’s life. The way Paul handled life’s greatest challenges was a powerful testimony to the power of God to save. Finally, the Lord orchestrated the storm so as to miraculously drop the seafarers off on the shores of Malta. God’s astounding protection of them from the shipwreck, coupled with His protection of Paul from the deadly venom of a snake, opened the door wide to the gospel. They remained on the island for three months, with a wide open door for Paul to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

b. a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus. HOW? By faith in Jesus.

When we remain faithful, our faithful God turns the worst life can hurl at us into His best. Can you trust Him?

What is faith? Trusting that Jesus is Savior and Lord.

READING FOR NEXT WEEK

That He died for your sins.

Acts 27:1 – 28:10

That He rose again and offers you life in Him. How does this apply to me? ______________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________________